Army Reshuffles Generals, Names New Commander For North-East Theatre

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, redeploying several generals and brigadier generals to strategic command, operational and staff positions across the Service.

The postings, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and repositioning the Army’s leadership structure to respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, announced the changes in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Wednesday, saying the exercise was designed to place the “right leadership, experience and expertise” in critical appointments.

A major change is the appointment of Maj. Gen. IA Ajose as the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI. Ajose was previously with the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations.

His predecessor, Maj. Gen. AE Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.

Other senior appointments include Maj. Gen. RT Utsaha, who moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander, while Maj. Gen. AM Umar becomes Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria.

Maj. Gen. UM Alkali, formerly at the Army War College, has been redeployed to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Maj. Gen. GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director-General, while Maj. Gen. JE Osifo, formerly Director-General of the corporation, becomes Chairman of the Military Pension Board.

Maj. Gen. IE Ekpenyong has also been posted to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.

At the brigade and operational levels, Brig. Gen. AA Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.

Brig. Gen. MS Adamu becomes Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while Brig. Gen. MS Sule takes over as Commander of 27 Task Force Brigade.

Brig. Gen. I Sule has been redeployed to 6 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brig. Gen. E Azenda becomes Commander of 2 Division Garrison.

The Army said the Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and commitment to duty.

Shaibu further urged the officers to remain focused on the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The Army said the reshuffle was part of efforts to maintain a dynamic leadership and force-employment structure capable of improving operational outcomes, strengthening joint operations and enhancing inter-agency coordination against contemporary and emerging security threats.